Why Girls Prefer Pink

Girls' Color Preference For Pink May Have Evolved For Biological Reasons

(WebMD)  Girls' preference for pink may have developed for evolutionary reasons rather than just a passion for fuchsia.

A new study shows that men and women have natural color preferences. Blue is the overall favorite for both, but women prefer a redder or more pinkish shade of blue than men.

Researchers say this predilection for pinker hues may have evolved because
of women's traditional role as the gatherer, allowing them to pick out the
red, ripe fruit from a sea of green in the forest.

"Evolution may have driven females to prefer reddish colors -- reddish fruits, healthy, reddish faces," says researcher Anya Hurlbert of Newcastle University, England, in a news release. "Culture may exploit and compound this natural female preference."

Proving a Preference for Pink

In the study, researchers asked a group of more than 200 adults to quickly
pick their preferred color from a pair of colored rectangles on a computer
screen.

"Although we expected to find sex differences, we were surprised at how
robust they were, given the simplicity of our test," says Hurlbert.

Although both men and women had a natural preference for bluish contrasts,
the study showed women's top choices were at the reddish end of the hue
circle.

Specifically, researchers found women preferred colors in the reddish-purple region of the color spectrum, while men's preference shifted towards
blue-green.

"On top of that, females have a preference for the red end of the red-green axis. And this shifts their color preference slightly away from blue towards red, which tends to make pinks and lilacs the most preferred colors in comparison with others," says Hurlbert.

Researchers say the next step will be to test the color preferences of infants to separate the nature vs. nurture element of color preference.

As for the universal preference for blue, "I can only speculate," says Hurlbert. "I would favor evolutionary arguments again here. Going back
to our savannah days, we would have a natural preference for a clear blue sky, because it signaled good weather. Clear blue also signals a good water source."

[michellem99-2009]

It use to be a no no if a boy wore pink. Why they call him a sissie year ago for wear a girl''s colour. The males they do have their hang ups. Yet they want to wear pink. Now as a legally blind person the colours help tell the gendars apart. I hate pink,hate dresses,yes I am female. Men and women are different and alway have been. And will remain so. I know today men can wear pink. Are there any men that have pink cell phones and truly use them.

[klingon69]

b) it is very difficult to cull out social stereotyping to which most men and women are subjected from birth;
Posted by LawyerTom1 at 05:52 PM : Aug 20, 2007
Was just discussing this same point with my wife last night. I told her that when we were growing up (about 25+ yrs ago), the most popular toys for boys were trucks, trains, slotcar sets, guns, army men, cowboys&indians, GI JOE...etc.
At the same time the most popular toys for girls was EZ Bake oven, household helper set (had little broom, dustpan, mop...etc to help mommie out in the house)Barbie dolls, babydolls...etc.
Even today although the gender lines are more skewed as to toys, girls and boys are still conditioned into this seperate ideas, that guys are the probviders, and girls are the nurturers.

[julygroom]

I think this is hogwash. Hopefully the clothing and shoe makers out there do not pay attention to this. I personally besides myself know other straight males that like the color pink. Myself it is my favorite color and I have enough shirts in pink that I can wear them for a week and a half with out having to change to another color. My wife loves me in pink and I wear dark pink glasses. I personally feel its time to quit saying this is for males and this is for females. We should have the freedom and ability to dress the way we want to without discrimination and *** like this hurts those wanting these freedoms.

[grammawhamma]

What the heck is a redder shade of blue? Sounds like a song title to me. What are those researchers smoking?

[lawyertom1]

The problem with these types of studies is multiple: a) it is a stereotype that women were gatherers and men were hunters [there is no scientific evidence to support this view for pre-farming societies; if you draw analogies with apes, those views have been recently set on their head with studies showing aggressive, hunting females]; b) it is very difficult to cull out social stereotyping to which most men and women are subjected from birth; c) depending on the trait at issue and the environment in which the interaction is happening, "evolution" may be rapid [as seen in many interesting studies of various animals in isolated situations] or slow and plodding [we have no idea if color preference falls within the former or latter]... I could go on and on. Sounds less than scientificly valid.

[whatsup49]

wonder how many tax dollars went to this "study" that is absolutely meaningless.

[michellem99-2009]

The Colours
While we esch wrapped
Pink for girls
Blue for boys
Some in yellow
Where did that come from.
Was the colours of the genders.
Who really knows but still done.
It is the same with toys.
Dolls for girls.
Trucks for boys.
It goes om.
So today is no different.
I love blue and yes I am female.
I prepered bricks over dolls.
Yet they pink does carm.
Let wrap baby in multi colours.
Not every girl prefer pink.
Verse by Barbara Ann
If you use this verse do get me credit .

[extremophil]

I prefer brown/black. I think it''s because my ancestors ate dung beetles.

[global_chick]

What a dumb article, first of all. Second, I am a woman who has absolutely HATED pink from day one -- I prefer red.

[anthroben76]

Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology: first time responder...

This is absolutely stupid.

1.) It is obvious that they''re using western (particularly U.S. and British) culturally-derived usages of blue and pink (blue for boys, pink for girls, which is perpetuated day after day) to talk about HUMANS... (!) Long story short... do some cross-cultural research.

2.) Their linkage between "woman the gatherer" and their preference for reddish colors is a HUGE explanatory leap!

Surfer''s beware.